Tour of Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Bhutan

Upon arrival in Delhi make your own way to our hotel. In the evening, we meet as a group for an introductory briefing and our welcome dinner. (D)

In the early morning, we transfer to Delhi airport for your 2 hour flight to Bagdogra Airport; a small, but busy airport for North Bengal and Sikkim surrounded by lush green tea gardens on the Himalayan foothills. On a clear day you will be able to see the long mountain range of the Himalayas from the flight. From Bagdogra, we will be driven to Darjeeling (3 hours). The journey runs on the traditional Hill Cart Road snaking its way through the Sal forests of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and then slowly climbing up the hills to Kurseong – a tea growing area dotted with lush green garden. The narrow-gauge Himalayan rail track follows you as you cross several small picturesque villages on your way. You will also have the opportunity to see the toy train running on heritage steam engine. The view of the snow-clad mountains in the horizon gets prominent as you climb up the hills towards Darjeeling. On arrival we check in to our hotel. In the evening you can go for a short walk to the Mall or Chowrasta to get a feel the daily buzz of local life. This is an important social gathering place in Darjeeling where the tourists as well as the local people come, meet, shop and dine. Dinner will be in the hotel tonight. (B, D)

We will take an early morning drive to Tiger Hill (2,573 metres) in order to see the dawn light breaking over the snow peaks before sunlight even reaches the lowlands. Visible from Tiger Hill are Mt Everest and Mt Kanchenjunga (world's third highest peak), an unforgettable sight. The summit at Tiger Hill also commands a fine view of the vast plains of North Bengal. Tiger Hill is also the summit of Ghoom (also spelled Ghum), a small locality that is home to the highest railway station in India, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (or Toy Train) sitting at 2,258 metres. We will take a toy train ride to Ghoom. The steam locomotive snakes its way through the zigzag trails and loops. It makes a round at the picturesque Batasia Loop with Kanchenjunga as the constant backdrop. At Ghoom, we will visit the Himalayan Railway Museum before returning to Darjeeling. In the afternoon we will explore Darjeeling by foot, which is the best way to explore the city. Walk with our guide through the lanes and by-lanes and see the uncommon faces of Darjeeling as closely as possible. During the walk, we show you the most important landmarks in the town and also take you to the local markets where the real life of Darjeeling flows unaffected by the influence of tourism. Your walking experience gets more delightful with the charming landscape scenery around you, which is dominated by lush tea gardens and Mt Kanchenjunga. There are centuries-old buildings and houses in Darjeeling that still reflect traditional British architecture. Added to this, the churches, monasteries, monuments, the people & culture, unique flora & fauna, majestic mountains & valleys, toy train, tea garden, old shopping places and food joints, and many other great old & modern attractions constitute the rich heritage of Darjeeling. We will visit The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which boasts a rich and rare collection of exhibits. We will also visit the Himalayan Zoo - a high altitude wildlife park and new home for Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and many endemic Himalayan species. Back to the city and you can visit the local market of fashionable handicrafts and jewellery. Laze away in the Mall – the hub of the town or, have a cup of coffee at Caventer’s open air restaurant and watch a glorious sunset. Dinner is at your hotel tonight. (B, D)

Today we drive to Gangtok via Peshok road (4 hours). The view of the fascinating tea gardens at Peshok with the Kanchenjunga snow range and Rangit River Valley will demand you to stop for a while for a refreshing break. From the road junction of Tista Bazar, we follow the winding road along the emerald River Tista. To break up the drive, we can spend time in some scenic spots on the way to enjoy the landscape. Before reaching Gangtok we will make a detour to Rumtek Monastery, also known as the Dharma Chakra Center, which is the most important and largest monastery pilgrim centre in Sikkim. It was built in 1960 to spread the teachings of Buddha, by the 16th Karmapa Gyalwa, who came from Tibet to Sikkim during the Chinese invasion.  The Rumtek Monastery belongs to the Black Hat sect of Kargyugpa Buddhism which has its origin in Tibet in the 12th century. Optional local lunch at a farm house can be arranged at an additional cost. We continue to Gangtok which you will reach by late afternoon. The capital town of Sikkim - a former Himalayan Kingdom - welcomes you with its typical traditional hospitality. This is a buzzing town with fusion of modern and traditional culture.  Established as a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the 1840s, the city became capital of an independent monarchy after British rule ended, but joined India in 1975. If you are not tired after checking in to your hotel, you can go for a short visit to the market or walk on the M G Marg – the most popular area in Gangtok town to shop, gossip and dine. Dinner will be at your hotel tonight. (B, D)

Today we will explore Gangtok. We will first visit the Enchey Monastery. This important monastery, built by the 8th Choygal of Sikkim in 1840, follows the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. Located at an isolated place on top of a hill over the Gangtok town the construction of the monastery resembles the Chinese archaeology and looks like a pagoda. The monastery also provides a nice view of the mountains on a clear day. We will aslo visit Honuman Tok, or the temple of the Lord Hanuman (The Langur) with a nice viewpoint is situated on the way to Nathula Pass about 5kms from the Gangtok city centre. At an altitude of 2200 M, the viewpoint presents a nice view of the surrounding including the Kanchenjunga. Last on our tour, we will visit the Flower Show and Exhibition centre; if you have the interest to see the exotic Himalayan flowers and orchids, the Orchid Center in Gangtok is a must. The Flower and Orchid exhibition centre has a huge collection of rare Himalayan orchids and flower. Later you may want to take a stroll around the market area.  Unlike the MG Marg Market, Lal Bazaar is more popular with city people and not tourists. But those who want to experience the regular daily life of the local people of Gangtok may find this place quite interesting. You may also choose to take an evening walk along the quiet ridge park road and enjoy the beauty of the hills. (B, D)

Today after breakfast we set out for a journey to Gorumara National Park in the foothills of the Himalayas  (5 hours).  The first phase of our journey runs through the hills dotted with beautiful forests and villages. From here the road goes down to the vast plains of Dooars, lying in the outer foothills of the Himalayas. We travel through the lush green tea gardens and forests--the unique features of Dooars. We continue to Gorumara - a popular wilderness retreat in the Dooars plains and a national park. This a true wildlife sanctuary, a reserve forest since the 1890s and untouched by human habitation. The afternoon is free to relax in the beautiful garden of your hotel, alternatively, for those who wish, you can sign up for an exclusive car safari to Gorumara National Park, through the deep natural grasslands of Gorumara, and if you're lucky you may spot a rhinoceros or a bison! Here we will also have the opportunity to see the different rural life of the plains of Bengal. In the evening, we will arrange a cultural show. (B, D)

In the morning, we drive about 2.5 hours to the Bhutan border. Here we will be met by our Bhutanese guide and driver. After lunch, we drive from the border town of Phuentsholing to Thimphu (5 hours), moving from the warmer climate of the south up to the foothills of the Himalayas. Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. On the way, visit Sangye Migyur Ling Lhakhang also known as the Tower of Milarepa. If there is time, we can take an evening stroll around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. (B, L, D)

Today we will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of the capital. Among the places we will visit is the National Textile Museum. The Bhutan Textile Museum was opened in 2001 at the instruction of Queen Ashi Sangay Choden, one of the four wives of the old Bhutanese King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The national museum was established to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage that has been preserved between Bhutan’s mountainous ridges. The building itself was constructed to replicate a traditional Bhutanese house. Visitors really get a full taste of the country’s cultural heritage, and the lingering influence of tradition on the present. We also visit the Thimphu Chorten, the Golden Buddha (Buddha Dordenma). We explore the postal museum, showcasing Bhutan's interesting stamps, as well as the Changangkha temple. (B, L, D)

In the morning drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges.  You will notice the change of climate and vegetation as we approach low-lying Punakha at 1250 metres. For those who wish, we can take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). We will visit also the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”.  Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. (B, L, D)

Early morning, hike an hour or so up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, high on the hill across the other side of the valley. The temple is 30 metres tall and is dedicated to the fifth King. From the top you will see a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding villages. We will enjoy a picnic lunch on the river bank today. In the afternoon, we will return to Paro, a drive of approximately 4 hours. (B, L, D)

We rise early to visit the spectacularly situated Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), a highlight of any visit to Bhutan. This involves a hike of 3-4 hours to reach the site, on a 900-metre ascent up to the monastery at 3,120 meters. This monastery is associated with Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who is believed to have introduced Buddhism into the Indian subcontinent in the 8th century. He is venerated as a "second Buddha" by adherents of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Himalayan states of India. There is a tea shop around the halfway mark, which provides excellent views of the monastery, and some visitors are content with reaching this site. We return in time for lunch, and the rest of the afternoon is free. (B, L, D)

This morning we enjoy some more sightseeing together in Paro, visiting the Paro Rinpung Dzong, a large monastery and fortress and one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. We also visit the National Museum housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling a conch shell. The Ta Dzong was badly damaged by an earthquake in September 2011, but has now been renovated. Here we see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. Near the museum we may also be able to see a demonstration of traditional wood turning skills by local artisans who make traditional wooden bowls and cups – and members of the group may try their hand in wood turning as well! In the afternoon we will see the Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), constructed to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644, and destroyed by a butter lamp fire in 1951. Nearby is the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan. (B, L, D)

Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight to Delhi and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck). You will be transferred to your hotel from the airport. In the evening we meet again for a farewell dinner. (B, D)

The tour concludes after breakfast. (B)